Paralegal

DMH Stallard is an award winning South East law, Legal 100 firm with offices in London, Brighton, Gatwick, Guilford, Horsham and Hassocks. DMH Stallard has grown rapidly since it was established in 1970, and has a headcount of approx 380. Our firm provides a comprehensive range of commercial, dispute resolution and litigation, employment, cyber security and cyber-crime, corporate, intellectual property, real estate and technology, media and telecoms advice to both businesses and individuals. Our clients, our people and our professional networks are the keys to our success.

The department

Our Real Estate Team handle all manner of residential and commercial property-related matters from Landlord and Tenant to Construction and Development, Asset Management, Utilities, Conveyancing and Property Finance.

Job Purpose

• To operate as an effective member of the Real Estate Brighton team, assisting with all aspects of commercial property work in relation to our Utilities clients, as well as any related property work generated by the team. Whilst not an exhaustive list, the work might include drafting, negotiating and completing deeds of easements, licences, sub-station leases and transfers, title reviews and dealing with land registry and other title consents.
• To be responsible under supervision for own caseload to include achievement of personal fee targets.
• Achieve the targets as defined by the Group Leader, including achievement of Matter Related (chargeable) hours and fees.
  
  

Responsibilities And Duties

Personal

• To participate and contribute to the team to ensure an effective working environment, supporting the Partners, Consultants and other support staff as appropriate.
• Attend the in-house training programme and other relevant technical training to ensure that skills and knowledge remain up-to-date.
• To attend and contribute to group meetings.
• Maintain awareness of the legal market specifically relating to Real Estate.
• To maintain a culture where individuals are encouraged to identify problems or mistakes and are encouraged to “speak up” to ensure issues are resolved.
  
  

Legal

• Principal role will involve running own caseload plus supporting fee earners in the team with a range of tasks around property work, including completing forms, drafting basic documents, post exchange and post completion administration, preparation of standard letters and online forms/submissions e.g. Land Registry and HMRC for SDLT purposes.
• Preparing client reports and assisting with billing to include preparation of detailed breakdown and sending the bills to the client.
• Work on other property files as required to provide a range of advice and assistance on property and construction related work.
• Generally, to support the team including the secretaries, to help with group billing and file opening/closing as required.
  
  

Financial

• To be responsible for ensuring achievement of own key financial targets, including fees, contribution and payment of debts and disbursements.
• Maintaining accurate data on i-Manage and related electronic files.
• To monitor own performance in relation to the number of live files, file closures, file openings, billing, time recording and to take appropriate action to ensure targets are met.
  
  

Client Care

• To be responsible for the delivery of the service to the client, ensuring that the highest standards of client care are maintained so that clients use DMHS again and recommend the firm to others.
  
  

Risk

• To be fully familiar with the Money Laundering and FSMA Policies and Procedures and to ensure full compliance with them.
• Conforming to the risk management procedures as stated by the firm.
• Attend regular meetings with the group head or other person nominated to review current work.
  
  

Other information

Knowledge, Skills And Experience Required

• Some previous experience of conveyancing and property work is required although further training will be given and work will be supervised.
• Able to effectively manage their time to achieve client and internal deadlines is an essential skill.
• Understanding the importance of client care with an ability to deal with a wide range of clients with differing objectives including being able to understand the commercial objectives of the client.
• Able to work within a team and provide support to other fee-earners as appropriate.
• Confident Excel skills sufficient to enable the reviewing of relevant matters and preparation of completion statements and assisting with preparation of billing and reports for clients.
• Competent IT skills including Outlook, Word, Digital Dictation and Axxia/iManage and Aderant (training will be given).
• Attention to detail.
• Understanding the strategy and vision of the firm.
• Communicate effectively with clients, in writing, over the telephone and in meetings.
• Convey technical legal information in an effective and accessible way.
  
  

Benefits

• 25 days holiday (of which 3.5 are taken during the Christmas period), plus Birthday holiday, plus Bank Holidays.
• Life Assurance
• Private Healthcare
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Sodexo Discounts
• Pension Scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on Legal work